| DIAGNOSING POSTPOLIO SYNDROME
Postpolio syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion and should fit specific criteria (TABLE 1). Screening for other possible diagnoses is essential.
Evaluating weakness
In postpolio syndrome, weakness progresses gradually over months to years. This muscle fatigue is associated with overuse and worsens with increased activity. Rapid loss of strength over weeks to months
TABLE 1
Criteria for diagnosing postpolio syndrome
History of old polio, preferably with recent eletrodiagnostic findings consistent with remote anterior horn cell disease
A period of at least partial recovery from the initial illness and then a long stable period (10 – 10 years or more)
New symptoms consistent with postpolio syndrome that are not attributable to any other medical conditions; these may include weakness, myalgias, fatigue, swallowing problems, breathing problems, cold intolerance and muscle atrophy
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TABLE 2
Differential diagnosis for weakness
Common Causes
Myelopathy (eg, due to spinal stenosis, spinal tumors)
Radiculopathy
Peripheral neuropathy
Deconditioning
Uncommon causes
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson disease
Myopathy
Rare causes
Myasthenia gravis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Adult spinal Muscular atrophy |
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